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A leading Oxford University history professor has been killed in a multi-car crash on the M40, with colleagues paying tribute to the “warm, witty, humane scholar” and “loyal friend” with a passion for teaching.

Mark Whittow, a medieval historian and archaeologist, had been named as the next provost of Oriel College and was due to take up his new role in August.

The academic, 60, died along with a 29-year-old man from Warwickshire after a collision believed to have involved five vehicles on Saturday.

Professor Martin Conway, chairman of Oxford University’s History Faculty, said: “The entire Oxford community has been left deeply saddened by Mark’s tragic death.

“Mark was an enormous influence on history in Oxford, where his energy and commitment to teaching, research and to the sense of an intellectual community was irrepressible.

The place will be that much sadder and poorer for his lossBodleian History Faculty Library

“Above all, generations of students, researchers and colleagues knew him as a warm and loyal friend who enriched all our lives. We will miss him enormously.”

Thames Valley Police believe that five vehicles were involved in the collision and are seeking dashcam footage from motorists who were near the scene on the M40 northbound in Oxfordshire between junctions 10 and 11, on Saturday at just before 11.40pm.

A tribute posted by The Bodleian History Faculty Library said: “Desperately sad news of the untimely passing of warm, witty, humane scholar Mark Whittow. The place will be that much sadder and poorer for his loss.”

Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History at Oxford, paid tribute to his “most brilliant friend and colleague”:

Heart-breaking news about my best, loveliest & most brilliant friend & colleague who has died over Christmas. I’m afraid I’ll be off #Twitter for a few days.

An Oxford University spokesman said Dr Whittow had played a decisive role in the development of a global approach to the study and teaching of the medieval era, which linked Europe to wider networks of trade and knowledge.

Dr Whittow, from Oxfordshire, was a university lecturer in Byzantine Studies, and a fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

Mark Whittow had been due to take up his new role in August, with his wife set to join him at OrielCredit:
Corpus Christi College

He was senior proctor of the university in 2016-17 and lectured in history at Oriel College.

He had been due to take up his new role in August 2018 and his wife Helen, who is a practising QC and Deputy High Court Judge, was set to join him at Oriel, according to a university statement last month announcing his appointment.

Five vehicles are believed to have been involved in the crash on the M40 in Oxfordshire on SaturdayCredit:
REUTERS

Police said one man was taken to hospital with serious leg injuries and three others were treated for minor injuries after the crash.

A spokesman said: “We are still appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to officers to please contact us.

“We are specifically appealing to anyone who may have dashcam footage who was travelling in the area at the time of the collision.”